DECISIÓN DEL TRIBUNAL CONSTITUCIONAL PORTUGUÉS SOBRE LA REFORMA LABORAL (I)

El Tribunal Constitucional portugués se pronunció recientemente, a través de su sentencia nº 602/2013, de 20 de septiembre, sobre la constitucionalidad de algunos de los cambios en materia laboral introducidos por la Ley 23/2012, de 25 de junio. Los cambios tachados de inconstitucionales fueron los siguientes:

 1.- Despido por extinción del puesto de trabajo 

La Ley 23/2012 sustituyó el criterio de la menor antigüedad a la hora de extinguir un puesto de trabajo por el de criterios “relevantes y no discriminatorios”. Según el Tribunal Constitucional (TC) dicha norma violaba la prohibición de despido sin justa causa al permitir al empresario definir los criterios de determinación del puesto de trabajo a extinguir. 

2.- Despido por inadaptación 

La Ley 23/2012 revocó uno de los requisitos para el despido por inadaptación: que no exista en la empresa otro puesto de trabajo disponible y compatible con la cualificación del trabajador. De nuevo, el TC entiende que con dicha revocación se viola el principio de prohibición de despido sin justa causa.

INVESTOR VISA IN SPAIN (and III)

On our last post on the Spanish investor’s visa we had briefly touched on the subject of citizenship. It is worth noting that there is a draft law in the works that will render a minimum knowledge of Spanish compulsory.

Another important issue regards the need for a visa or not to enter Spain. EEE countries plus Andorra just need their ID cards. The following countries need a passport valid for 3 months after the end of the traveller’s stay (maximum stay is 90 days):

Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermudas, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Egypt, El Salvador, Ecuador, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, Vatican, Venezuela, Vietnam, as well as Hong Kong and Macao. (This list may be subject to changes)

On a final note, reunification is possible and the following family members are eligible for reunification: spouse or de facto partner; children under legal age (18); sponsor’s parents (if they are over 65 years old) and spouse’s parents (if they depend economically on the sponsor): minors and disabled under the sponsor’s custody.

As regards the reunification of the spouse’s parents, evidence must be produced to prove that the parents do not have the financial resources to support themselves.

INVESTOR VISA IN SPAIN (II)

The Spanish investor’s visa is valid, initially, for one year. The investor can apply thereafter for a residence permit, which is valid for 2 years and renewable for 2-year periods. Applicants that want to keep their residence after the initial term must travel at least once to Spain.

In order to obtain or renew the permit, the applicant must fulfil the initial conditions when the visa was issued: ie, maintain an investment of € 1 or € 2 million; be the owner of real estate valued at € 500,000; maintain the investment project free of debts before the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security and obtain a favourable report form the Directorate General of Trade and Investment.

Finally, as a general rule, after a ten-year residence period residents can apply for Spanish citizenship. Citizens from Latin-American countries, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, Philippines, Portugal and of Sephardic origin just need a two-year residence period.

INVESTOR VISA IN SPAIN (I)

The Entrepreneurship Act was finally passed last September 28^th. Non-EU/ EEA citizens may now apply for an investor visa in Spain if they meet one of the following requirements:

1.- Buy real estate with a minimum value of € 500,000 (the first € 500,000 must be free of liens);

2.- Invest € 2 million in Spanish bonds;

3.- Invest € 1 million in shares of Spanish companies;

4.- Deposit € 1 million in a bank account;

5.- Undertake a business project of general interest to be executed in Spain. This project must meet at least one of the following conditions:

- Creation of jobs;

- Investment of socioeconomic impact in the region where it will be executed;

- Relevant contribution to scientific and/ or technological innovation.

The project must also receive the approval of the Spanish Economic and Trade Office nearest to the applicant in the form of a favourable report.

It is worth noting that the investment can also be executed through a company if the applicant holds the majority of voting rights. Finally, the investor visa allows for an initial residency of a 1 year period.